Page 96 of The Games We Play

“Maybe we could get you in as a reporter or something. I wouldn’t want him knowing in advance who he’s meeting or have the upper hand. And, I would need to be there or else I can’t let it happen.”

“I want to go, as myself. I want him to know it’s me who wants to talk to him.”

“Mimi…”

“Please, Seamus. I need this.”

I don’t know what is going through her mind right now. Is she looking for a fucking apology? Does she really want to forgive him? Because that thought fucking kills me. But it doesn’t matter. She needs this and I have the power to make it happen for her.

“Some people don’t deserve second chances, sunshine.”

40

NAOMI

Well, I slept like shit last night. I should have slept hard after that mile high orgasm, but the thought of facing Nathan and going to his parole hearing had my mind reeling a hundred miles an hour.

Seamus didn’t sleep, either. I don’t think he normally sleeps much, or if he does, he sleeps with one eye open like one of those psychotic drill sergeants.

He held me all night as we talked about random facts and things we liked or disliked. I think I fell asleep a few times, but woke up and wasn’t sure how much time had passed.

We just ordered breakfast in the hotel, and I’m nibbling on some fruit and toast, trying to get my mind off the fact that I’ll be face to face with Nathan in an hour.

Will he be remorseful? Will he take this opportunity to tell me that he’s sorry? Will I care if he does?

I’m not sure why I feel this unrelenting need to face him, but I feel like it’s the first step in the right direction in ten years. I’ve done nothing but talk out my resentment from that night. Wading through the shame, the guilt, thewhat ifswith my therapist, yetnothing has gotten me close to feeling like I’m on the right track for recovery until Seamus told me he got me a visitation scheduled.

The moment he shared that news with me, I felt instant relief. Simultaneously feeling a hurricane of nerves fluttering through me.

It’s the first time I’ve been able to take control over what I have felt I’ve had no control over.

It’s liberating.

The hotel door buzzes and clicks as it opens when Seamus returns from his meeting with Rocco and Miller. I have no idea what they have planned, but Seamus assures me it’s clearly a backup plan based on however I want to proceed after my visit with Nathan.

He’s a planner and has every scenario, moment, task, and detail planned out from the time we arrive at the prison to the moment we get to the courthouse.

In the last twenty-four hours, I’ve seen exactly why he was in charge of high profile missions during his time in the military and whatever “undisclosed special assignments” he said he was tasked to do.

He was built for it.

“Are you ready to go?” he asks, placing his keycard down on the table before putting his hands on his hips.

“I am.” I lift my chin with more confidence than I feel.

“I still don’t like this, Mimi,” he blows out a long breath, “but I understand why you want to do it.”

“Thank you for making this happen.”

He nods curtly and pauses as his eyes rake over me.

Stepping forward, he wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me into him.

“The visitation room is large and there will be other people visiting inmates at the same time. They are allowing me to be inthere, but I’ll stand back and won’t be visible. He won’t know I’m there, but you will. If you feel threatened or need help for any reason, I want you to tap your right shoulder with your left hand. Do you understand?”

I nod and comply.

“Okay, let’s go.”

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